107% rule returns for 2011

Neither of the HRT cars would have raced in Bahrain if the 107% rule was in place

As well as Pirelli being the sole tyre supplier from 2011 onwards, the FIA have today announced that the 107% rule will return to Formula 1 in 2011. This was announced at the World Motor Sports Council today. From 2011 onwards, any driver who does not get within 107% of the fastest lap of Q1 will not be allowed to start the race.

The World Motor Sport Council explained the 107% rule in more detail:

"From 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107% of
the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part
in the race. Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may
include setting a suitable lap time in a free practice session,
the stewards may permit the car to start the race. Should there
be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order
will be determined by the stewards."

Now I’m sure that, in the event of rain or track damage during qualifying, the stewards would allow a slower car to go through to the race, but overall I think this rule is a bit pointless. The new teams are quickly getting up to speed, and would hardly get caught out by the 107% rule next year.

After a few minutes of figuring it out, I have concluded that there would have been 5 drivers knocked out in 4 different races this year if the 107% rule was already in place. In the season-opener in Bahrain, both Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok would not have started. Then, in Malaysia, Lucas di Grassi would have been gone.

In Spain, Bruno Senna again would have been left out. Finally, Karun Chandhok in Canada would be excluded under 107% regulations. But, in the future, I can’t see how it would happen this often. If there is a 13th team in F1 in 2011, it will only make it harder on them to get into the sport.

As we have seen already, there haven’t been any serious difficulties with slow backmarkers, even in Monaco. This is why I believe that the 107% rule is a waste of time.